2 Fixes for iPhone Not Detecting Headphones

Quick Tips

• Ensure there are no issues with your headphones, and clean the Lightning or USB-C port on your iPhone.
• If you’re experiencing problems with Bluetooth headphones, make sure they have enough charge, and try unpairing and pairing them again.
• Ensure you’ve selected your headphones as the default audio output device.

Try Basic Fixes

• Rule out issues with your headphones: Before you troubleshoot your iPhone, it’s a good idea to ensure that your wired or wireless headphones are working properly. You can do this by testing them with another phone or computer. If you’re using a Lightning or USB-C to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter, ensure that it is not faulty.
• Charge your Bluetooth headphones: Your iPhone may not detect or connect to your AirPods or other wireless headphones if their battery is low. To avoid this and frequent disconnection issues, you need to ensure that your headphones have enough charge. If the problem persists even after that, you may have to reset your Bluetooth headphones.
• Clean the Lighting or USB-C port: Over time, dust, lint, and other particles can get into your iPhone’s Lightning or USB-C port. This can block the connection between your headphones and the port, resulting in a loose or improper connection. To avoid this, you need to clean your iPhone’s Lightning or USB-C port.

Fix 1: Check the Audio Output Device

Are there multiple audio devices connected to your iPhone? If so, your iPhone may be emitting audio to one of the other devices, which could give the impression that your headphones are not working.

So, if your headphones are plugged in, but the sound is coming from your iPhone or some other device, follow these steps to change the audio output:

Step 1: Swipe down from the top right corner of the screen to access the Control Center.

Step 2: Tap AirPlay in the top right of the Control Center and select your headphones.

If you are having issues with wired headphones, consider disabling Bluetooth on your iPhone. This should help avoid interference from your paired wireless speakers or headphones.

Fix 2: Unpair and Pair Bluetooth Headphones Again

If you are unable to connect your iPhone to a paired Bluetooth headphone, try removing it and adding it again. This should help resolve any issues caused by improper setup and ensure your iPhone detects your headphones again.

To unpair your Bluetooth headphones from your iPhone, use these steps:

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone and tap on Bluetooth. Then, tap the info icon next to your headphones.

Step 2: Tap on Forget This Device to remove it.

Once removed, put your Bluetooth headphones in pairing mode and connect them to your iPhone. After that, you should be able to use it without any issues.